European cities, with their small streets and twisting corners, seem to be made for bicycles. In the past decade, many cities have been taking initiatives to make their urban sprawl even more bike-friendly. Here are some of our tips to biking in European cities:

City Bikes

Many cities have established city bikes programs—in Vienna, Stockholm, Paris, etc.—where people can pay nothing or next-to-nothing to rent a city bike for an hour. You can usually swipe your credit card at the bike station, take your bike and head out! You just have to remember to find another bike station and return it within the hour. Some cities require that tourists buy the privilege to rent directly from an office or the nearest convenience store.

Rent a Bike

Considerably more expensive than the city bike option, renting a bike is nevertheless convenient in its own right. You can buy into packages for a few hours or even overnight, meaning there’s no stress about returning the bike right away. It’s a great option if you’re in a city without a city bikes program, or if you’re heading out into the country or the nearest beach.

Best Europe Cities for Biking

Copenhagen. Beautiful Copenhagen is known for its daily Bicycle Rush Hour, when 35,000+ cyclists cross the Dronning Louises bridge.

Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ reputation as bike-friendly precedes it—thanks to the city’s legendary flatness and proximity to nature. Within 15-30 minutes you can bike from downtown to windmills.

Barcelona. The lovely Barcelona is equipped with bike lanes galore—just remember to stay away from the roads with heavy traffic. Wander through small squares and hip neighborhoods like El Raval and Eixample.

Paris. Parisian roads aren’t exactly conducive to biking, but the main cycle routes are well-maintained and picturesque enough to keep any cyclist happy. Cycle along the right bank of the Seine into the trendy Marais area and onto the Louvre.

Gift It

For a unique gift, pick up the high-end collection City-Cycling: Europe, a series of field guides to bicycling in 8 of Europe’s cities. With 400 nostalgic illustrations and countless sights, itineraries and tips, this makes a lovely present for the cyclist friend or passionate cyclist within.

Planning a Trip to Europe? Call our agents in Portland to plan the perfect trip for you and your family! 503-224-0180 or email info@wittravel.com.